Greta receives invitations from across Alberta

Only days after announcing she is heading to Alberta, Swedish climate crusader Greta Thunberg has received invitations to public addresses, climate strikes and tours of the oilsands.

Although she hasn’t released her itinerary, the 16-year-old won’t be short on things to do while exploring the province.

“She’s playing a strong role in being the voice to wake people,” said Joe Vipond, co-chair of Calgary Climate Hub.

“She has made people more aware of the severity of the effects that we’re facing. I think she’s coming here because she knows she’s inspirational and she wants to be that voice here.”

Thunberg has fascinated the world with her weekly climate strikes and United Nations speech demanding climate action. Alberta will be her second stop in Canada after a few days spent in Montreal in September.

Mayors of the province’s two major cities, Calgary’s Naheed Nenshi and Edmonton’s Don Iveson, have expressed interest in chatting with Thunberg about municipal climate plans.

Nenshi said in a statement the teen activist is “very welcome.”

“We would love to talk about Calgary’s Climate Program and how seriously we’re taking climate action. We’re always interested in having a dialogue on the intersection of energy and the environment, as well as highlighting the climate achievements of the Canadian energy sector,” said Nenshi.

Coun. Druh Farrell said she would welcome the chance to honour the teen with Calgary’s famous ceremonial White Hat if Thunberg chooses to visit the city.

“I think the world will be watching Alberta. I think if we want to build our reputation, we would be wise to treat this girl with respect,” said Farrell.

Good day Greta. I am Chief Lee Crowchild from the TsuuT’ina Nation. I would like to personally invite to our great Nation while you are here in Alberta. You are my guest and we will do what we need to do to have you speak to the province with the voices of the Alberta Nations.

Many young people in Calgary have been participating in Thunberg’s “Fridays for Future” strikes, skipping classes on Fridays to rally for climate action outside city hall. Four of them told Postmedia about their excitement over her visit, each being inspired by her in different ways to continue pursuing climate action.

Cody Battershill, founder and CEO of Canada Action, invited Thunberg on Twitter to tour Alberta’s oilsands. He said they want the activist to see first-hand the industry’s innovative technology and investment in lowering emissions.

“We feel very strongly that Canada is part of the solution and should not be singled out as an example of the problem, because what we’ve done is remarkable,” said Battershill. “There’s a real opportunity for the world if it were to adopt our standards, innovation and know-how.”

Mark Scholz, president of the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors, and Tim McMillan, CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, both hope Thunberg gets the opportunity to see the oilsands so she understands Alberta’s energy innovation.

Exterior view of the Carbon Capture station at the Scotford Refinery plant. in a file photo from April 17, 2014.Perry Mah /
Postmedia

In a statement from the office of the premier, spokeswoman Christine Myatt said, “We trust that Ms. Thunberg will recognize Alberta’s leading human rights and environmental standards, especially in comparison to oil-producing dictatorships such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela — which she will presumably visit next — as well as major growing emitters like China.”

Although there’s plenty of support for Thunberg, social media is also filled with disinterest and hate for the young activist, said Vipond.

“The province is torn about her arrival. Nobody wants to be insulting to a 16-year-old, so the people that are not thrilled with her arriving are telling her this isn’t the right place, that she should be going to other countries,” said Vipond.

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